Nurse Charged with Killing Patient

By Daniel Hawn

Published on August 17, 2005

Frances Swanson, who worked for Vitas Healthcare Corporation, has been charged with manslaughter in the death of Ronald Duval, 67. Last week, Duval's widow, Jean, filed a civil lawsuit against Swanson and Vitas. She is seeking an unspecified amount of damages.

According the lawsuit, Jean Duval hired the services of Vitas after her husband fell ill with cancer. Vitas assigned Swanson, 55, and other nurses to care for Duval in shifts at his home.

When Swanson arrived at the house on the night of July 20, 2003, witnesses say that she appeared to be in a severely inebriated state. According to the lawsuit, Swanson could not speak or walk correctly, and was having difficulty staying awake. Later, the family watched Swanson give Duval a large dose of morphine that, according to a medical examiner, killed him.

Court documents show that a drug test later determined Swanson was under the influence of morphine and anti-anxiety medications.

The Duval family attorney said that he is holding discussions with attorneys for Swanson and Vitas but that a plea agreement has not been established.

Attorneys for Swanson and Vitas were unavailable for comment on the lawsuit.

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